Urgent Road Repairs on Ilorin-Ogbomoso Highway: FERMA Steps In to Make Festive Travel Safer in Nigeria

 As the Christmas and New Year celebrations kick into full gear, millions of Nigerians are hitting the roads to visit family and friends. But for those traveling between Kwara and Oyo states, the journey along the Ilorin-Ogbomoso highway has long been a nightmare—filled with deep potholes, sudden breakdowns, and heartbreaking accidents. Now, there's a ray of hope: the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has rolled up its sleeves and started emergency rehabilitation works just in time for the yuletide rush.

This timely intervention comes as a huge relief for countless motorists who dread this stretch of road. The officer overseeing FERMA's operations in Kwara State, Lukman Onimago, shared the good news during a site visit in Ilorin late December 2025. Speaking to journalists while inspecting the crews at work, he explained that the agency couldn't ignore the highway's deteriorating condition any longer. "We're focused on making travel safer and smoother during this busy festive season," Onimago said, emphasizing how critical it is for everyone to reach their loved ones without unnecessary risks.

The repairs fall under FERMA's nationwide initiative called Operation Connect Your Destination, a special program that ramps up every December to tackle problem spots on federal roads. This annual effort is all about patching up dangerous sections before the holiday traffic peaks, helping families reunite without the fear of getting stuck or worse. Onimago pointed out that these fixes align perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which promises better infrastructure and safer roads for all Nigerians. By prioritizing motorable highways, the government aims to boost connectivity and support everyday commuters, traders, and transporters.

Right now, FERMA teams in Kwara are hard at work filling potholes, fixing collapsed portions, and smoothing out the most hazardous areas on the Ilorin-Ogbomoso route. It's not a full reconstruction—that's a bigger project still in the pipeline—but these palliative measures are designed to cut down on crashes and ease congestion immediately.

Anyone who's driven this road knows the frustration all too well. Massive craters swallow tires, forcing drivers to swerve dangerously or crawl at snail's pace. Heavy trucks hauling goods between the north and south often get bogged down, creating endless traffic jams. And sadly, the poor state has contributed to too many fatalities over the years. That's why Onimago urged drivers to play their part too: "Please drive cautiously, obey speed limits, and help protect these public assets. Roads like this belong to all of us—they're built for everyone's benefit."

Road users who've spoken out recently couldn't hide their excitement about the ongoing work. Many commuters and commercial drivers interviewed along the highway praised FERMA's quick action, calling it a much-needed Christmas gift. "This repair will save lives," one truck driver shared. "We've lost count of the accidents here—vehicles somersaulting into ditches because of sudden potholes. If they fix these bad spots, it'll reduce the carnage big time."

Others highlighted the bigger picture: how a better Ilorin-Ogbomoso highway could supercharge the local economy. This route is a vital artery linking Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, with Ogbomoso in Oyo State—two bustling hubs teeming with markets, farms, and industries. Farmers transporting yams, cassava, and other produce to bigger cities rely on it daily. Traders moving goods northward or southward face higher costs and delays when the road is bad, which trickles down to higher prices for consumers everywhere.

"Smooth roads mean faster business," a local merchant in Ogbomoso noted. "When trucks aren't breaking down or stuck for hours, goods arrive fresh and on time. It'll bring more investment to our area, create jobs, and put money in people's pockets." Residents in both towns agree that reliable infrastructure could breathe new life into the region, attracting more visitors and opening up opportunities for small businesses along the corridor.

That said, while everyone's applauding the start, there's a strong plea for FERMA not to stop halfway. Commuters are begging the agency to see the project through to completion. "We've seen repairs begin and then fizzle out before," one driver lamented. "Please finish what you've started—this road deserves a proper overhaul to give lasting relief to Ilorin and Ogbomoso communities."

The Ilorin-Ogbomoso highway isn't just any road; it's part of the larger Ibadan-Ilorin expressway, a key north-south link that's suffered from years of neglect. Broader sections, like Oyo-Ogbomoso, have ongoing dualization projects with new contractors pushing for completion by 2026. But the festive patching by FERMA addresses the immediate dangers, especially as travel volumes surge.

In a country where road safety remains a pressing concern—with thousands of lives lost annually to preventable crashes—initiatives like Operation Connect Your Destination offer real hope. They remind us that with proactive maintenance, we can make Nigeria's vast network of federal highways safer for everyone.

As 2025 wraps up and we step into 2026, this effort on the Ilorin-Ogbomoso route stands as a positive step forward. It's a reminder of what focused government action can achieve: fewer accidents, happier journeys, and stronger economic ties between regions.

For motorists planning trips this season, the message is clear—drive responsibly, but take heart knowing help is on the way. Safer roads are possible when agencies like FERMA prioritize people over excuses. Here's to more journeys ending in joyful reunions rather than regret.

If you're traveling soon, stay updated on road conditions and plan ahead. Nigeria's infrastructure challenges are deep-rooted, but stories like this show progress is happening—one patch at a time.